Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Nielo Cantilado SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Wednesday After the Epiphany
Jesus troubled himself not only once but again and again and again for the welfare of others. In one instance in the Gospel when Jesus saw the crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled, like sheep without a shepherd (Mt. 9,38ff). That awareness of the dire situation commited him to take action on their behalf – he fed them!
At our Catholic Trade Store in Tayuman, Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, SVD, the new store manager, advocates on good customer relations as an important part of the store’s marketing strategy—a crucial factor in the success of the business. Since last year he kept hammering on the consciousness of the sales personnel and staff the importance of customer service. Good customer service is good business. Poor service and bad treatment of customers and clients is bad to business. But the good manager Fr. Charlie does not only mean business as business with the Catholic Trade Store he is a religious missionary, too. He strongly believes that selling religious items in the store is also as a form of Christian service, a tool for evangelization.
The consciousness that he introduced in the organization paid off gradually—the sales have improved in the early months, and the store has become very welcoming to customers and clients. There could be other reasons that contributed to the new image of the store, and customer service, according to the manager, is one of them.
Jesus of course was not a businessman, but any business dealing can be Christian, and a clerk’s cordial and warm treatment of clients and customers can be Christ-like. Just like any human being in need of an item or something, customers do have the right to courteous treatment by the sellers at all times—to the seller’s care and attention; to fast and accurate information of the product or service; and so on. Advocating customer service is indeed being a Christian to others.
How often are we ready to make ourselves inconvenient – reaching out, or taking an extra mile or nagpaparaya—to serve someone else’s need? And what motives do we have to choose to commit to such action? Jesus’s only motive is love. In feeding the thousand Jesus was a gracious host. He made sure everybody had their fill. He also fed their hearts and minds with his words of wisdom. And when he could see that the disciples were worn out with rowing, for the wind was against them, he came walking on the lake to reassure them (Mk 6,45-52). He troubled himself for others because of love.
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